I do agree that some wealthy folks seem to laugh at the idea of a few dollars fine for driving & parking offences.

One case in point......

In Australia it is sacrosanct that you don't park your car at the curb where there is a ZEBRA (pedestrian) crossing. But one day I saw a driver of a very expensive sports car do just that (in a very up-market suburb). He did so to buy some 'Fish and Chips' from a locally speciality shop that was directly opposite the pedestrian crossing. Parking was difficult in this area & he would normally have had to park & walk a long way to this shop.

I was so incensed that I would have stomped right across his magnificent sportscar bonnet (as much as I loved that type of car) had I not been with my wife. This bastard bought his lunch then drove off to commit some traffic offense elsewhere. These 'types' *need* some type of fine that truly gets their attention.

Cheers

Doug Marker

(PS: for any Sydneysiders wondering - twas the famous (but now demolished) Fish 'n Chip shop directly opposite the ped crossing & parking area for the ferries on the Pitwater (inner) side of Palm Beach) right next door to the 'Barrenjoey Restaurant'.

Here is a picture of the magnificent Palm Beach area (called the 'peninsular' by locals) [link|http://www.palmbeachbandb.com.au/|Eat yer heart out anyone from any where else - this is paradise]

Surf side is brilliant - inner side is calm water & fishing - adjoins the mouth of the Hawksbury River - is 20 miles from city of Sydney & being a peninsular has no 'ratbag' thru traffic to drive locals nuts (just the bloody tourists & 'Westies' in summer & bastard car parkers at the Pitwater Fish & Chip shop)

[link|http://www.palmbeachgetaways.com.au/|Another great holiday place near the Pittwater Ferry]

[link|http://www.palmbeachgetaways.com.au/Apartment.htm|Here is the Pittwater Jetty - F 'n C shop just opposite :-) ]


I gotta tell ya that anyone holidaying in Sydney will find Palm Beach is a dream come true 'n this is a comment from someone who ahs been *everywhere*

Doug M